5 K Walk/Run Race

Waterloo History Tour

Do you know what national event began in Waterloo? Where the inventor of the Pullman railroad sleeping car lived? What television star spent many happy summers in Waterloo as a youth? Who is buried at the Seneca County fairgrounds? You can learn the answers to these questions and many other interesting facts about Waterloo history by taking the Waterloo History Tour. Narrated horse and buggy rides will be offered from Lafayette Park from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Brochures for the self-guided walking tour are available at the village office year round. The tour was created by journalist Doris Wolf and her committee as a gift to the community. More than 22 stops are included in the mile-long route through the village.

Reynolds Battery L. 1st NY Light Artillery was formed in 1982 to honor the original battery and educate the public about the Civil War. Members of Reynolds' Battery are all volunteer and come from as far away as Buffalo and Ithaca. The original Battery L, 1st New York Light Artillery, was raised by John A. Reynolds of Rochester, NY, in September 1861. Recruits were drawn mostly from Rochester, but ranged from all over Western & Northern New York, and Canada. On October 18, 1861, the Battery was officially mustered into the United States Army in Elmira, N Y. They were armed with the first six Model 1861 3" Ordnance Rifles in the country. From Elmira, the Battery was sent to West Virginia. Their first engagement occurred when a section under Lieutenant Loder came into action in Charleston, WV. On 28 August 1862, the Battery was transferred to the I Corps, Army of the Potomac, and it participated in all the engagements of that Corps until 1864, including Second Bull Run, Antietam, Fredricksburg, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. In March 1864, the Army of the Potomac reorganized and the I Corps merged into the V, which Reynolds' Battery served with through the end of the war, including the battles of Wilderness, Cold Harbor, and Petersburg. Of the approximately 115 men who had originally joined the Battery, 25 still remained with the unit at the time it was mustered out of service on June 17, 1865. A total of 320 men entered service as members of Reynolds' Battery L. Of these, nine were killed or died from wounds received in action while 14 died from sickness contracted in service. In 1982, Frank Cutler gathered some like-minded reenactors and founded the 1st New York Light Artillery, Reynolds' Battery L. At first, the Battery had a 3/4 scale cannon, which was sold to raise money for another cannon and this pattern of making and selling was begun. Slowly, over the years, Reynolds' Battery began to reach its goal of fielding four 3" Ordnance Rifles with limbers The group received its first 3" Rifle in 1987, the second was fielded in 1996 and the third in 1997. Although the group members take their hobby very seriously, they have a lot of fun while educating the public and, most importantly, honoring those of the Civil War.

The wooden station wagon bodies that once were produced in Waterloo will return to Waterloo's Celebrate Commemorate "Waterloo Remembers" festivities. Wood-bodied cars were favorites of the surfer crowd, and Woody trucks and buses were popular in the 1940s and 50s.  Scores of the restored vehicles will be brought by their owners from across the country to participate in the weekend's festivities. They are expected to participate in the Freedom Parade on Saturday, May 27, will be on display on Main Street on Sunday, May 28. The Woodies also will drive to wineries and other attractions in the area during their visit. For more information, e-mail Jim Vrooman.

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In the reenactment community, the 148th New York Volunteers are considered veterans. Established in 1962, the 148th is the oldest Civil War reenactment organization in New York State. Since its founding, it has participated in several hundred Civil War battle reenactments and hosted scores of living history events, marched in parades and given presentations for schools and historical societies. Even though the organization is built on a military impression, families participate in the recreation of a time in American history when everyone was touched by the events, not just the soldiers serving in Dixie. The original 148th was recruited from the Finger Lakes regions of New York. They were assigned to the Army of the James and served under Major General Benjamin "The Beast" Butler. Some of the battles they participated in were Drewry's Bluff, Cold Harbor, the Siege of Petersburg, Chaffin's Farm, Fair Oaks, the Appomattox Campaign, and the post-war occupation of the city of Richmond. They had five Medal of Honor recipients, and suffered more than 500 casualties. The 148th of today recruits its members primarily from the Finger Lakes area. In 1962, the 148th began with six members from the Ovid Camp of the Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War. Membership in the SUV is a
tribute to those "Sons of the Finger Lakes" who answered Lincoln's call for 300,000 more!

The 148th will set up their encampment on the grounds of the Finger Lakes Health - Huntington Living Center, 369 East Main Street, with the soldiers, their families and other camp followers, such as a sutler selling military goods commonly found in at military encampments. The group is known for its authenticity in dress, language and mannerisms. The Sons of the Union Veterans, direct descendants of Civil War soldiers, will have an exhibit at the Memorial Day Museum on East Main Street. The museum also will be open for visitors. It honors local soldiers from every war, and contains the proclamation signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson designating Waterloo as the official Birthplace of Memorial Day.

The 148th New York Volunteer Regiment of Infantry

QUILT RAFFLE:

Win this queen size, beautiful, multi color, Double Irish Chain "Road to Waterloo" made by Pam Jones, Mary Lou Haws, and Judie Byndas. Quilted by Cheri Alger.  Tickets available at Nugent Hardware for $1 or six tickets for $5.  For more information contact Judy Byndas at 539-8475.